The Bellevue School District seeks to create a safe, caring, and respectful environment for all of the diverse students, families and staff in our community. During the month of June, the district celebrates Pride Month by affirming members of the LGBTQ+ community and recognizing the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer* individuals have had on our collective history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Pride Month History
In the United States, Pride Month is currently celebrated each year to honor the Stonewall Uprising which took place in June in New York City in 1969. During that summer, the Stonewall Inn was raided by police, and gay, lesbian, and transgender customers were arrested. At the time, laws made it permissible to have a business shut down for having gay employees or serving gay patrons. On that particular night, members of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer* (LGBTQ) community decided to stand up for their rights — sparking an uprising that would launch a new era of civil rights demonstrations.
The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the members and supporters of LGBTQ communities.
Today, Pride celebrations include parades, community parties, informational events and festivals. Pride Month events attract millions of participants from around the world. In addition, each June, moments of reflection are held for members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS.
The first Pride march took place in New York City in 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The march was a demonstration against centuries of discriminatory institutional practices that allowed government hostility in employment and housing discrimination.
District Priority, Student Well-Being
Bellevue School District believes that students learn best in safe, secure, and stable environments. Inclusive practices support each and every student’s ability to empathize, connect and collaborate with a diverse group of peers, and encourages respect. This priority has shown to result in better academic and mental health outcomes. This priority aligns with our commitment to affirm, inspire, and sustain an environment where students thrive.
* LGBTQ+ includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, and the countless affirmative ways that people choose to self-identify.